Apparatus for weighted apparel

ABSTRACT

Provided is a weighted shirt comprising a shirt bottom disposed beneath a shirt body, the shirt bottom comprising an outer bottom and an inner bottom, a bottom stitch configured to join the inner bottom to the outer bottom, and a hem cavity bound by at least the outer bottom, the inner bottom, the inflection point, and the bottom stitch. The weighted shirt may comprise a weight disposed within the hem cavity, where the hem cavity is sized to accept the weight. The weight may be an annular member, where the weight comprises an outer face, an inner face, an upper part, and a lower part.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention is in the field of apparel, specifically apparatuses thatenable formfitting apparel free from wrinkles. Further, the inventionmay be an apparatus that naturally straightens a piece of apparel afterunwanted or unintended adherence to one's body.

INTRODUCTION

In many social settings, it is important to have formfitting andwrinkle-free clothes. Unfortunately, professional dry cleaning andlaundry services are costly and time intensive. Similarly, forindividuals leading typical lives, it is difficult to find time toproperly iron and launder clothes. Often, individuals may not have theproper equipment or space to effectively launder their own clothes. Forexample, professional laundry services may utilize steamers, which areeither unobtainable by the average person or too expensive andcumbersome to acquire.

As an alternative, some individuals may search for clothing made from“wrinkle-free” materials. Frequently, however, “wrinkle-free” materialsdo not work as advertised. For example, “wrinkle-free” materials mayremain less wrinkled, but not wrinkle free. Moreover, because“wrinkle-free” materials are a specialized material, clothing utilizingthem is often limited in terms of color, design, and appearance.

Moreover, upon sitting down or bending over, one's shirt may becomestuck in the fold of one's stomach. Additionally, a shirt may becomelodged in one's belt or may otherwise adhere to one's skin (for example,an individual who is sweating). Thus, after standing up, the firstreaction of many people is to untuck and straighten their shirt. Formany individuals, such a reaction may be tedious, burdensome, orembarrassing.

It would be desirable to have clothing that is wrinkle-free, without theneed for specialized equipment and continual laundering. It would alsobe desirable to have clothing that naturally untucks as a wearer returnsto a standing position.

It would further be desirable to have clothing composed of typicalmaterials, where the clothing has a wrinkle-free nature. It would yetfurther be desirable to have clothing weighted to prevent wrinkles,weighted in a manner where the weight is concealed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of a shirt with a weightedbottom.

FIGS. 2A-2B are illustrations of a cross section of a shirt bottom.

FIGS. 3A-3F are illustrations of embodiments of the shirt bottomaccompanied by weight embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4B are illustrations of weights in annular form.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an embodiment of the shirt includingsegmented weights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention adds a whole new dimension to formfitting clothingand wrinkleless apparel. In an embodiment, the present invention alsoadds a new dimension to clothing that may “untuck” itself.

Throughout the specification, wherever practicable, like structures willbe identified by like reference numbers. In some figures, components,such as additional electrical connections or fasteners have been omittedfor clarity in the drawings. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term“or” means “either or both” such that “A or B” includes A alone, Balone, and both A and B together.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the invention of the present disclosure may be ashirt 100 having a shirt body 102 and a shirt bottom 104. In anembodiment, a weight 106 is disposed on and/or in the shirt bottom 104.The weight 106 may be configured to pull on the fabric (or othermaterial) comprising the shirt body 102. As a non-limiting example, theweight of the weight 106 may apply a downward force on the shirt body102. In such a non-limiting example, the downward force on the shirtbody 102 may manifest as an increased tension in the material of theshirt body 102. Thus, such a tension in the shirt body 102 may reducewrinkles and increase the formfitting nature of the shirt 100. Forexample, the increased tension applied to the shirt body 102 mayaccentuate the muscular definition of the wearer. As anothernon-limiting example, the increased tension applied to the shirt bodymay prevent the shirt from “riding up” or from developing wrinkles.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the shirt bottom 104 may include a top stitch 108and a bottom stitch 110. In such an embodiment, the plane of the shirt100 (for example, the shirt body 102) may be folded into the inside ofthe shirt 100 and fastened to the shirt bottom 104. Further, in such anembodiment, the shirt bottom 104 may be fastened via a top stitch 108and a bottom stitch 110.

In an embodiment, the shirt bottom 104 may have an outer bottom 112 andan inner bottom 114. The outer bottom 112 may face outward (for example,away from the wearer), while the inner bottom 114 may face inward (forexample, towards the wearer). In an embodiment, the outer bottom 112,the inner bottom 114, the bottom stitch 110, and/or the inflection point132 encapsulate a hem cavity 116.

In an embodiment, the weight 106 may be disposed within the hem cavity116. In such an embodiment, the hem cavity 116 may be sized to acceptthe weight 106. In an embodiment, the weight 106 is a hollow annularmember. In such an embodiment, the weight 106 may have a weight cavity118. The weight cavity 118 may be configured to house a weightedmaterial 120.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the shirt bottom 104 may include a top stitch 108and a bottom stitch 110. In an embodiment, a stitch bound cavity 122 maybe bound by the top stitch 108, the bottom stitch 110, the outer bottom112, and the inner bottom 114. In such an embodiment, the weight 106 orweighted material 120 may be disposed within the stitch bound cavity122. In an embodiment, the shirt bottom 104 includes a stitch boundcavity 122 and a hem cavity 116. However, in an alternate embodiment,the shirt bottom 104 only contains a stitch bound cavity 122.

In an embodiment, the weight 106 does not include a weight cavity 118.In such an embodiment, the weight 106 is a solid annual member. In anembodiment, the weight 106 may be any shape before insertion into theshirt bottom 104. For example, the weight 106 may be flexible, such thatthe weight 106 adheres to the shape of the shirt bottom 104 afterinsertion. In an embodiment, the shirt bottom 104 includes a slit (forexample, allowing fluid communication between the environment and thehem cavity 116), enabling an individual to feed the weight 106 into thehem cavity 116. The slit may be disposed on the outer bottom 112, theinner bottom 114, or the inflection point 132. In another embodiment,the weight 106 is placed in the hem cavity 116 upon manufacture of shirt100.

In an embodiment, the weight 106 may be a fabric or other textilematerial that is lined, infused, or otherwise contains weighted material120. As a non-limiting example the weight 106 may be composed of wovenacrylic, knitted polyester, mink, cotton, fleece, wool, or other similarmaterial. Further, as a non-limiting example, the weighted material 120may be plastic poly pellets, rubber pellets, small stones, additionalfabric, glass beads, steel shot beads, or other similar materials. In anembodiment, the weight 106 may be an annular belt-shaped member. In suchan embodiment, the weight 106 may be sized to attach to the inside ofthe shirt bottom 104 (for example, along the circumference of the shirtbottom 104). In another embodiment, the weight 106 may be disposedwithin the shirt bottom 104 or on the outside surface of the shirtbottom 104. In an embodiment, the “fabric nature” of this embodiment ofweight 106 may act to conceal the weight 106 and may provide comfort tothe wearer. In an embodiment, the weighted material 120 may beadditional fabric or textile material. For example, the weightedmaterial 120 may be a fabric material with a mass and/or density greaterthan that of the shirt body 102 material. However, in an alternateembodiment, the weighted material 120 may be one or more additionallayers of the same material composing the shirt body 102. In anembodiment, the additional fabric material may be disposed on the shirtbottom 104 in the form of a thin annular strip (for example, a beltshape) along the inside surface of the shirt bottom 104. In anembodiment, the additional layers of fabric may be sewn tightly orcompacted such that the weight 106 is sufficiently dense. In such anembodiment, the weight 106 may be sufficiently heavy to impose tensionon the shirt body 102, yet sufficiently compact as not to burden thewearer.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the weight 106 may include an outer face 124 andan inner face 126. The weight 106 may also include an upper part 128 anda lower part 130. The outer face 124 may interface with the insidesurface of the outer bottom 112. The inner face 126 may interface withthe inside surface of the inner bottom 114. The upper part 128 mayinterface with the bottom stitch 110. The lower part 130 may interfacewith the inflection point 132.

In an embodiment, the inner face 126 may be flat. For example, the innerface 126 may be flat, such that it is parallel with the plane of theshirt body 102. In an embodiment, the outer face 124 may be rounded. Forexample, the outer face 124 may be a semi-circle protruding outward fromthe wearer.

In an embodiment, the weight 106 includes a weight cavity 118. Theweight cavity 118 may be a cavity bound by the inner face 126, the outerface 124, the upper part 128, and the lower part 130. The weight cavity118 may be a uniform shape throughout the weight 106. For example, thecross section of the weight cavity 118 may be an oval. As anotherexample, the cross section of the weight cavity 118 may a scaled downversion of the inner face 126, outer face 124, upper part 128, and lowerpart 130.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the weight 106 may have a rounded inner face 126and a rounded outer face 124. In an embodiment, the cross section of theweight 106 may be symmetric about a vertical axis bisecting the crosssection of the weight 106. In an embodiment, the cross section of theweight 106 may be a circle. In such an embodiment, the weight 106 may bea torus.

In an embodiment, the inner face 126 and the outer face 124 may be flat.Further, in an embodiment, the upper part 128, and the lower part 130may be flat. For example, the weight 106 may be a thin annularbelt-shaped member. In such an embodiment, the inner face 126 and theouter face 124 may be orthogonal to the upper part 128 and the lowerpart 130.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the weight 106 may have a rounded inner face 126and a flat outer face 124. In an embodiment, a stay surface 134 may bedisposed on the outer face 124, the inner face 126, the upper part 128,and/or the lower part 130. Referring to FIG. 3C, a stay surface 134 maybe disposed between the outer face 124 and the inside surface of theouter bottom 112. The stay surface 134 may be an annular member with athin rectangular cross section, for example having a belt shape. Thestay surface 134 may be rigid. In an embodiment, the stay surface 134may maintain a flat appearance to the shirt bottom 104, by preventingthe profile of the weight 106 from printing through the shirt bottom 104fabric. In an embodiment, the stay surface 134 may also maintain theposition of the weight 106. In an embodiment, the stay surface 134 maybe sewn into the shirt bottom 104. For example, the stay surface 134 maybe sewn into the shirt 100 via the top stitch 108 and/or the bottomstitch 110. Alternatively, for example, the stay surface 134 may beattached to the shirt bottom 104 with a stitch other than the top stitch108 or bottom stitch 110. In an embodiment, the stay surface 134 mayextend above the top stitch 108 and/or bottom stitch 110. In anotherembodiment, the stay surface 134 may extend to, but not traverse, thebottom stitch 110. In an embodiment, the shirt 100 may contain one ormore stay surfaces. In such an embodiment, the stay surfaces may benon-annular rigid members disposed at regular intervals around the shirtbottom 104. For example, the stay surfaces may be rigid squares disposedbetween the outer face 124 and the outer bottom 112 at four equidistantpoints around the shirt bottom 104.

Referring to FIG. 3D, the weight 106 may have a flat inner face 126 andan inverted teardrop outer face 124. In such an embodiment, the mass ofthe weight 106 may be distributed to the upper part 128 more than thelower part 130. Further, in such an embodiment, as the mass isdistributed towards the upper part 128, the weight 106 may be lesslikely to swing outward or inward at the inflection point 132. Thus, thevertical distribution of mass of, or within, the weight 106 may bemodified to prevent the shirt bottom 104 from flaring out.

In an embodiment, any of the weight 106 embodiments may exist within thehem cavity 116. In an alternate embodiment, any of the weight 106embodiments may exist on the shirt bottom 104, outside the hem cavity116. In an embodiment, the weight 106 may be disposed on the outsidesurface of the outer bottom 112. In another embodiment, the weight 106may be disposed on the outside surface of the inner bottom 114.

Referring to FIG. 3E, in an embodiment, the weight 106 may be fastenedto any of the outside surfaces of the shirt bottom 104. For example, theweight 106 may be sewn or otherwise adhered (for example, with anadhesive) to an outside surface of the shirt bottom 104. In anembodiment, the weight 106 may be attached or partially attached to theshirt bottom 104 via the top stitch 108 and/or bottom stitch 110. As anon-limiting example, during shirt 100 manufacture, the hem may be sewnwhile the weight 106 is disposed on the shirt bottom 104, such that theweight 106 becomes affixed to the shirt bottom 104.

Referring to FIG. 3F, in an embodiment, the shirt bottom 104 may notinclude an inflection point 132. For example, the fabric may not bedraped into itself to form a hem cavity 116. However, in such anembodiment, the weight 106 may be disposed on the single layer bottom146. In an embodiment, the weight 106 may be attached to the outsidesurface of the single layer bottom 146 (for example, the side of theshirt 100 facing away from the wearer). Alternatively, the weight 106may be attached to the inside surface of the single layer bottom 146(for example, the side of the shirt 100 facing toward the wearer). Insuch an embodiment, the weight 106 may be concealed to third parties byattaching the weight 106 to the inside surface of the single layerbottom 146. In an embodiment, the weight 106 may be attached to thesingle layer bottom 146 with one or more outer stitches 144. In anotherembodiment, the weight 106 may be adhered to the shirt bottom 104 and/orthe single layer bottom 146 via an adhesive (for example, a fabricadhesive) or any other means commonly known in the field of tailoring.

In an embodiment, the weight 106 may be encapsulated or partiallyencapsulated by an outer weight fabric. In such an embodiment, the outerweight fabric may be disposed on any or all of: the outer face 124, theinner face 126, the upper part 128, the lower part 130, the left portion136, the right portion 138, the front portion 140, and/or the rearportion 142 of the weight 106. In an embodiment, the weight 106 may beattached to the shirt bottom 104 by fastening the outer weight fabric tothe shirt bottom 104 (for example, by stitching the shirt bottom 104 tothe outer weight fabric and/or by applying an adhesive between the shirtbottom 104 and outer weight fabric). Thus, the weight 106 may beattached to the shirt bottom 104 via the outer weight fabric.

Referring to FIG. 4A, in an embodiment, the weight 106 may includeweighted material 120 following a pre-determined distribution. Forexample, the weighted material 120 may be more present or moreconcentrated in the weight left portion 136 and the weight right portion138. However, in another example, the weighted material 120 may be morepresent or more concentrated in the weight front portion 140 and theweight rear portion 142. In an embodiment, the distribution of weightedmaterial 120 may be symmetrical (for example, opposite portions of theweight 106 having the same weight distribution), promoting a balancedshirt 100 on the wearer. However, in an alternate embodiment, thedistribution of weighted material 120 may be more prevalent on oneportion (for example, solely the weight front portion 140).

In an embodiment, the weight cavity 118 may be configured to accept theweighted material 120. For example, an input may be disposed on theweight 106, enabling fluid communication between the weight cavity 118and the environment. In an embodiment the weighted material may be sand,water or another liquid, metal shavings, steel shot, lead shot, solidgranules with liquid-like characteristics when amassed, or any othersuitable material. In such an embodiment, the use of solid granules withliquid-like characteristics when amassed (for example, sand or steelshot) may allow for an even distribution of weighted material along theweight 106. Further, in such an embodiment, as the user leans, theweighted material 120 may flow to the portion of the weight cavity 118in the direction of the user's lean. Thus, in such an embodiment, theweighted material 120 may become more concentrated in a portion of theshirt bottom 104 most likely to become stuck to one's person.

Referring to FIG. 4B, in an embodiment where the weight 106 does notinclude a weight cavity 118, the shape of the weight 106 may be adjustedto distribute weight in desired positions. For example, the weight leftportion 136 and the weight right portion 138 may be narrower than theweight front portion 140 and weight rear portion 142. The weight 106 mayalso be distributed in a manner to ensure comfort for the wearer. Forexample, there may be mass distributed away from the front portion 140if a wearer would prefer less tension on the front of the shirt 100. Inan embodiment, the weight 106 may be shaped as to promote comfort forthe wearer. For example, the weight front 140 may be narrower than theweight rear 142, such that a user's abdomen does not make uncomfortablecontact with the weight front 140.

In an embodiment, the shirt bottom 104 may not include any of thefollowing: the top stitch 108, the bottom stitch 110, the outer bottom112, and the inner bottom 114. For example, the shirt bottom 104 may bea continuation of the shirt body 102 without an inflection point 132. Insuch an embodiment, the weight 106 may be disposed on either side of theshirt bottom 104.

The weight 106 may be an annular member with a thin rectangular crosssection (for example, akin to a belt). In such an embodiment, the weight106 may be disposed on the inside of the shirt bottom 104, such that itis concealed from third party view.

In an embodiment, one or more weights 106 may be disposed on variousparts of the shirt 100. For example, a weight 106 may be disposed on oneor more of the shirt armholes. In such an example, the weight 106 may bedisposed to the shirt armhole bottom in a manner similar to how it maybe disposed to the shirt bottom 104. In another embodiment, the one ormore weights 106 may be disposed on the collar of a shirt.

In an alternate embodiment, the weight 106 may be disposed on the bottomcuff of pants or shorts, the bottom of a jacket or coat, and/or thebottom or rim of a hat. In such alternate embodiments, the weight 106may be disposed on any apparel in a manner similar to how the weight 106is configured with the shirt 100.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the shirt bottom 104 may include one or moresegmented weights 502. The one or more segmented weights 502 may bedisposed within the hem cavity 116, the stitch cavity 122, or disposedon the inside or outside surface of the shirt bottom 104. The segmentedweights 502 may be of any shape, size, mass, or material. The segmentedweights 502 may occupy the shirt bottom 104 in an arrangement similar tothat of an annular weight 106. As a non-limiting example, two segmentedweights 502 may disposed on the shirt bottom 104, where one weight 502is disposed at the shirt bottom left 504 and the second weight 502 isdisposed at the shirt bottom right 506. In another non-limiting example,as displayed in FIG. 5 , two segmented weights 502 of equal mass may bedisposed on the shirt bottom left 504 and the shirt bottom right 506,while a third segmented weight 502 of greater mass, may be disposed onthe shirt bottom front 508. However, the one or more segmented weights502 may be disposed along any portion of the shirt bottom 104 (forexample, shirt bottom rear 510). Both the placement and mass of the oneor more segmented weights 502 may impart a multitude of forces on theshirt body 102. For example, the embodiment, as represented in FIG. 5 ,may be configured to significantly pull down on the front of the shirt100 and to pull down the right and left of the shirt 100 to a lesserdegree.

In an alternate embodiment, the weight 106 and/or the segmented weights502 may be removable from the shirt 100. For example, the weight 106and/or the segmented weights 502 may be equipped with a clip, zipper,hook and loop fastener, adhesive, or other fastener configured to enableattachment and detachment of the weight 106 and/or the segmented weights502. In such an embodiment, the wearer may customize the position andamount of mass for an intended purpose.

The invention may be a weighted shirt having a shirt bottom disposedbeneath a shirt body, where the shirt bottom comprises an outer bottomand an inner bottom, where the shirt body, the outer bottom, and theinner bottom are composed of a continuous material. The shirt bottom mayalso include an inflection point formed by a vertex of the outer bottomand the inner bottom, and a bottom stitch configured to join the innerbottom to the outer bottom. The shirt bottom may also include a hemcavity bound by at least the outer bottom, the inner bottom, theinflection point, and the bottom stitch, and a weight disposed withinthe hem cavity, where the hem cavity is sized to accept the weight.

In an embodiment, the weight is an annular member, where the weightfurther comprises an outer face, an inner face, an upper part, and alower part. In an embodiment the inner face may be flat and the outerface may be rounded. In an embodiment, the weight houses a weightcavity, where the weight cavity may be configured to accept a weightedmaterial. The weighted material may be sand or water. The shirt bottommay include a stay surface disposed between the outer face and the outerbottom, where the stay surface is an annular member, and where a crosssection of the stay surface is a thin tall rectangle. A top stitch maybe disposed above the bottom stitch, where the top stitch may beconfigured to join the inner bottom and the outer bottom. In anembodiment, a weight may be disposed on the inner bottom; and one ormore outer stitches configured to attach the weight to the inner bottom.

The invention may be a weighted shirt comprising a shirt bottom disposedbeneath a shirt body, where the shirt bottom comprises a single layerbottom, where the shirt body and the single layer bottom are composed ofa continuous material. The single layer bottom may have an inner singlelayer bottom and an outer single layer bottom, where the inner singlelayer bottom is configured to face toward a wearer and the outer singlelayer bottom is configured to face away from a wearer. A weight may bedisposed on the inner single layer bottom and one or more outer stitchesmay be configured to attach the weight to the inner bottom. The weightmay be an annular member, where the weight comprises an outer face, aninner face, an upper part, and a lower part. The inner face may berounded and the outer face may be flat.

In an embodiment, the invention of present disclosure may be a weightedshirt comprising a shirt bottom disposed beneath a shirt body, where theshirt bottom comprises an outer bottom and an inner bottom, where theinner bottom is configured to face toward a wearer and the outer bottomis configured to face away from the wearer. The weighted shirt mayfurther comprise a weight disposed on the inner bottom, and one or moreouter stitches configured to attach the weight to the inner bottom,where the weight is an annular member. The weight may be a textilematerial infused with a weighted material. The weighted material may beplastic poly pellets or one or more additional layers of a fabricmaterial.

While certain novel features of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be understood that various omissions,substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A weighted shirt comprising: a shirt bottomdisposed beneath a shirt body, the shirt bottom comprising: an outerbottom and an inner bottom, wherein the shirt body, the outer bottom,and the inner bottom are composed of a continuous material; aninflection point formed at a vertex of the outer bottom and the innerbottom; a bottom stitch configured to join the inner bottom to the outerbottom; a hem cavity bound by at least the outer bottom, the innerbottom, the inflection point, and the bottom stitch; a weight disposedon the inner bottom; and one or more outer stitches configured to attachthe weight to the inner bottom.
 2. The weighted shirt of claim 1,wherein the weight is an annular member, the weight comprising an outerface, an inner face, an upper part, and a lower part.
 3. The weightedshirt of claim 2, wherein the inner face is rounded and the outer faceis flat.
 4. The weighted shirt of claim 3, the weight further comprisinga weight cavity disposed coaxial to the weight, the weight cavity boundby the outer face, the inner face, the upper part, and the lower part.5. The weighted shirt of claim 4, wherein a weighted material isdisposed within the weight cavity.
 6. The weighted shirt of claim 5,wherein the weighted material is plastic poly pellets.
 7. The weightedshirt of claim 4, wherein the weight is a textile material comprising aweighted material.
 8. The weighted shirt of claim 7, wherein theweighted material is one or more additional layers of a fabric material.